Every once in a while, there’s a fragrance of the moment that almost every beauty editor in the industry is obsessed with. Right now, that scent is Kayali Vanilla 28. It’s not overtly saccharine or cloying like a vanilla fragrance of years past; it’s sensual and warm. Kayali Vanilla 28 isn’t just popular with beauty editors, it’s also been trending on social media, specifically on #PerfumeTok, and its popularity is emblematic of the larger trend in the fragrance space. Vanilla is back with a more elevated than ever.
Vanilla is both a scent and a word that immediately transports one to their childhood. “I think vanilla brings you back to that feeling of tenderness of those days,” says perfumer Veronique Gabai. “It’s comfortable. It’s something that we all like.” Rosie Johnson, founder of By Rosie Jane, agrees, adding that vanilla is reminiscent of an easier time for all of us. Plus, there’s the nostalgic factor. “The ‘90s have a really big influence right now, especially when it comes to fashion and music,” she says. Johnson’s fragrance, By Rosie Jane Dulce Eau de Parfum, has recently benefited from the vanilla boom on social media. “We did this organic seeding with influencers just to sort of test the waters,” she explains. “It wasn't something we'd ever done before. And the response was just phenomenal.”
With nostalgia comes a sense of comfort and peace of mind, especially during difficult times. Scent is the sense most connected to memory, giving it the power to elicit strong emotional responses. “In the context of the pandemic, we all went through something that was extraordinarily traumatic, so this idea of [wearing] something sweet and comforting is certainly appealing,” says Gabai. Vanilla is also synonymous with delightful memories which makes it an especially potent scent. “Vanilla is just a natural mood lifter. It makes you feel happy,” says Johnson. “There isn’t too much negativity surrounding the smell of vanilla and I think everyone was searching for a scent that felt light and had a nostalgic feel to it.” Vanilla, as an essence, was initially sought out by the ancient Romans and Egyptians for the same reasons. “It was considered an aphrodisiac and a mood enhancer,” explains Johnson. “So I think after coming out of that very dark time that we were all in, it feels like a natural go-to.”
Vanilla may have initially been thought to be a note one would wear in the fall but recently, it has become more of a year-round, everyday scent. “Vanilla is so malleable and it will blend [well] with so many other different fragrances,” says Johnson. “I love the fact that now it’s becoming less polarizing.”
Looking for a vanilla fragrance to add to your rotation? Ahead, the best vanilla perfumes that you’ll want to spritz on every single day.
Best Vanilla Perfumes
Vanilla 28
Key Notes: Vanilla orchid, tonka absolute, amber woods, jasmine
Equal parts warm and sweet, this vanilla perfume makes a statement without being too overpowering. Patchouli and musk notes round out the notes by adding depth and dimension while creamy tonka bean and vanilla orchid anchor the scent, giving it lasting power.
Bee Eau de Parfum
Key Notes: Dark rum, vegan honey, vanilla bean
Lighter than your typical vanilla fragrance, this scent includes hints of dark rum for a slightly spicy tilt that is downright intoxicating.
Dulce Eau de Parfum
Key Notes:Vanilla, chocolate, hinoki wood
With comforting notes like vanilla and hinoki wood, you'll smell like your skin but sweeter after one spritz of this vanilla perfume. A dusting of chocolate makes it as delectable as possible.
Le Point G Eau de Parfum
Key Notes:Pink pepper, rose, iris, vanilla, leather, cedarwood
The combination of leather and cedarwood rounds out this vanilla perfume, adding warmth, texture, and sensuality.
Vanille Antique
Key Notes: Vanilla, cashmere wood, musk
Think of this vanilla perfume as the olfactory version of a weighted blanket. Musk, vanilla, and cashmere wood come together to deliver a sensual scent that’s soothing to the senses.
Angel Elixir Eau de Parfum
Key Notes:Pink pepper, ylang ylang, orange blossom, bourbon vanilla, jasmine, sandalwood
This perfume’s orange blossom and jasmine notes balance out sandalwood and bourbon vanilla resulting in a complex fragrance that’s assertive and memorable, not overwhelming.